Hawaiian Punch Guidebook
Sightseeing
This is the best snorkeling we've found on the island that is easily accesible.
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Two Step
This is the best snorkeling we've found on the island that is easily accesible.
Punalu‘u Beach
We always visit here to check out the sea turtles
This bay is the reason we fell in love with the area, and why we purchased our condo. Please use only reef friendly sunscreen and follow posted rules about the reef. You can surf or paddle-board in the north part of the bay, snorkelling is in the more sheltered southern part of the bay.
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Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveThis bay is the reason we fell in love with the area, and why we purchased our condo. Please use only reef friendly sunscreen and follow posted rules about the reef. You can surf or paddle-board in the north part of the bay, snorkelling is in the more sheltered southern part of the bay.
AKA: ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach
This is a lovely beach for families, with free parking and easy access. If you want palm trees and a white sand beach, you need to check it out.
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Puako Bay
AKA: ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach
This is a lovely beach for families, with free parking and easy access. If you want palm trees and a white sand beach, you need to check it out.
This beach is only a mile from our condo, you can walk, catch the trolley, use the bike share or drive. If you drive, try and arrive before peak times to find a parking spot.
You can play beach volleyball, sunbathe or enjoy the scenery from the shade of the trees.
Great for boogey boarding, but be sure to heed lifeguards warning flags, and always respect the surf. If you're unsure, wait until it's calmer.
We always like to eat at Magics Beach Grill at the north end of the beach. Order lunch to go to eat on the beach or enjoy their patio dining for happy hour or sunsets. https://magicsbeachgrill.com/
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveThis beach is only a mile from our condo, you can walk, catch the trolley, use the bike share or drive. If you drive, try and arrive before peak times to find a parking spot.
You can play beach volleyball, sunbathe or enjoy the scenery from the shade of the trees.
Great for boogey boarding, but be sure to heed lifeguards warning flags, and always respect the surf. If you're unsure, wait until it's calmer.
We always like to eat at Magics Beach Grill at the north end of the beach. Order lunch to go to eat on the beach or enjoy their patio dining for happy hour or sunsets. https://magicsbeachgrill.com/
This is a bit of a drive and you have to pay to access/park unless you are a resident of Hawaii. We think its worth the drive and the fees, to enjoy the day here. We bring a lunch and our favourite books, but most importantly boogey boards. Heed lifeguard warning flags and respect the surf, if you're unsure - stay on shore.
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Hapuna Beach
This is a bit of a drive and you have to pay to access/park unless you are a resident of Hawaii. We think its worth the drive and the fees, to enjoy the day here. We bring a lunch and our favourite books, but most importantly boogey boards. Heed lifeguard warning flags and respect the surf, if you're unsure - stay on shore.
We haven't done this hike ourselves but our nieces loved it. Please let us know your thoughts if you visit.
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Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo RoadWe haven't done this hike ourselves but our nieces loved it. Please let us know your thoughts if you visit.
you can visit the monument various ways, hike in, by kayak with an excursion or licensed rental company, or one of the many charters that include this stop. We were impressed with Ehu and Kai http://www.ehuandkai.com/
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Monumento al Capitán James Cook
you can visit the monument various ways, hike in, by kayak with an excursion or licensed rental company, or one of the many charters that include this stop. We were impressed with Ehu and Kai http://www.ehuandkai.com/
If you have the time, this is a very interesting way to spend a day. We took a free walking tour, and learned so much about not only the volcano, but about local plants and hawaiin culture from a ranger who was born and raised in the area. There is a fee to enter the park.
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Volcano National Park Visitors Center
If you have the time, this is a very interesting way to spend a day. We took a free walking tour, and learned so much about not only the volcano, but about local plants and hawaiin culture from a ranger who was born and raised in the area. There is a fee to enter the park.
This trail is a very short walk, but there are amazing plants and bird life.
Kaulana Manu Nature Trail
State Route 200This trail is a very short walk, but there are amazing plants and bird life.
This is a very sheltered swimming area, great for small children. Park behind the aquatic centre and look for the opening in the fence across the field (towards the water). We only found it by watching people come and go.
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Keike Beach (Queen's Bath)
This is a very sheltered swimming area, great for small children. Park behind the aquatic centre and look for the opening in the fence across the field (towards the water). We only found it by watching people come and go.
This is the perfect place for families, beautiful white sand and the water is so calm. It's the perfect place to learn to snorkel or paddleboard.
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Kamakahonu Beach
This is the perfect place for families, beautiful white sand and the water is so calm. It's the perfect place to learn to snorkel or paddleboard.
If you're a nerd, you'll probably like this. A few things to be warned about, you cannot take just any rental vehicle up to the observatory. Please make sure you have 4 wheel drive and the rental company allows it. You will want to plan the trip for a day that the weather on the volcano is clear which is very rare, and you'll want to try and time the trip so you can enjoy the sunset.
You must stop at station about half way up for at least 30 minutes to acclimatize to the altitude. Even with that, make sure you descend immediately if you, or anyone in your group have any signs of altitude sickness.
If you don't have a four wheel drive or have to descend before sunset for safety reasons, there is a short hike from the half way point to a great vantage point to enjoy the sunset.
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Mauna Kea
If you're a nerd, you'll probably like this. A few things to be warned about, you cannot take just any rental vehicle up to the observatory. Please make sure you have 4 wheel drive and the rental company allows it. You will want to plan the trip for a day that the weather on the volcano is clear which is very rare, and you'll want to try and time the trip so you can enjoy the sunset.
You must stop at station about half way up for at least 30 minutes to acclimatize to the altitude. Even with that, make sure you descend immediately if you, or anyone in your group have any signs of altitude sickness.
If you don't have a four wheel drive or have to descend before sunset for safety reasons, there is a short hike from the half way point to a great vantage point to enjoy the sunset.
We had a four wheel drive Jeep on one of our trips to the big island, so we decided to look for this out of the way beach. That had been recommended to us. There was still a short walk after the very rough ride in on the "road" through a lava field. Do not attempt this if you have neck or back problems!
We had a great time, swimming with the turtles and enjoying the views.
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Mahaiʻula Beach
We had a four wheel drive Jeep on one of our trips to the big island, so we decided to look for this out of the way beach. That had been recommended to us. There was still a short walk after the very rough ride in on the "road" through a lava field. Do not attempt this if you have neck or back problems!
We had a great time, swimming with the turtles and enjoying the views.
There's a beautiful sandy beach and easy access for children to a calm water area. It is also a great surf spot, but plan to get here early, as the limited public parking spots fill up quickly.
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Kikaua Point Park
There's a beautiful sandy beach and easy access for children to a calm water area. It is also a great surf spot, but plan to get here early, as the limited public parking spots fill up quickly.
You’ll almost always find a lot of turtles here, just stroll the beach to see them. Nice calm and shallow water, great for children.
Aiopio Fish Trap
You’ll almost always find a lot of turtles here, just stroll the beach to see them. Nice calm and shallow water, great for children.
Depending on the surf, this is a fun boogey boarding or swimming beach, great sunsets too.
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Kua Bay
Depending on the surf, this is a fun boogey boarding or swimming beach, great sunsets too.
If you want to hike in from the highway, park just south of the entrance to Kua Bay. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you can take the first left after the airport (driving North), signage for Kekaha State Park and drive about 20 minutes. You'll have no trouble finding the trailhead on your right, because this is where most of the vehicles are parked. Follow the trail north for about 30 minutes. We've spotted pods of dolphins and turtles in the water, and seen monk seals resting on shore. Remember to no approach any of these animals.
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Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19If you want to hike in from the highway, park just south of the entrance to Kua Bay. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you can take the first left after the airport (driving North), signage for Kekaha State Park and drive about 20 minutes. You'll have no trouble finding the trailhead on your right, because this is where most of the vehicles are parked. Follow the trail north for about 30 minutes. We've spotted pods of dolphins and turtles in the water, and seen monk seals resting on shore. Remember to no approach any of these animals.
Food scene
Good beer and great pizza! https://www.konabrewinghawaii.com/come-visit#kona-pub-and-brewery
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Kona Brewing Company
Good beer and great pizza! https://www.konabrewinghawaii.com/come-visit#kona-pub-and-brewery
A great place to enjoy happy hour and watch the sun set.
38 personas locales recomiendan
Don's Mai Tai Bar
75-5852 Ali‘i DrA great place to enjoy happy hour and watch the sun set.
Bubba & Finn's
Love the service and dole whip here
Thai Rin Restaurant & Bar
75-5799 Ali‘i DrGood Thai food and great views!
Great burgers made to order, we always stop in when we’re in Waimea.
30 personas locales recomiendan
Village Burger Waimea
67 - 1185 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat burgers made to order, we always stop in when we’re in Waimea.
We always stop in here when we’re in the area, they have great ice cream and baked goods.
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Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11We always stop in here when we’re in the area, they have great ice cream and baked goods.
We will order lunch to go and enjoy it on the beach if the weather and waves are too much fun to leave.
You can also enjoy happy hour or dining on their patio with it's amazing views.
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Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrWe will order lunch to go and enjoy it on the beach if the weather and waves are too much fun to leave.
You can also enjoy happy hour or dining on their patio with it's amazing views.
If you love good coffee and great views, check it out.
23 personas locales recomiendan
Kona Joe Coffee LLC
79-7346 Mamalahoa HwyIf you love good coffee and great views, check it out.
Great views, coffee and food! We try and stop in after snorkeling at two step, but we try to avoid peak times as there are not many parking spots or tables.
137 personas locales recomiendan
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyGreat views, coffee and food! We try and stop in after snorkeling at two step, but we try to avoid peak times as there are not many parking spots or tables.
Excellent sushi and a good happy hour! They also have a Bento shop steps away from the restaurant if you want food to go during the day.
43 personas locales recomiendan
Kenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrExcellent sushi and a good happy hour! They also have a Bento shop steps away from the restaurant if you want food to go during the day.
You'll enjoy good food and drinks as well browsing in the gallery.
47 personas locales recomiendan
Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
55-3415 Akoni Pule HwyYou'll enjoy good food and drinks as well browsing in the gallery.
Fresh seafood & beer! Great for a meal after hanging out at the beach at Aiopio Fish trap.
34 personas locales recomiendan
Harbor House
74-425 Kealakehe PkwyFresh seafood & beer! Great for a meal after hanging out at the beach at Aiopio Fish trap.
Good food, fun drinks and if you’re lucky, live music.
128 personas locales recomiendan
Pineapples Restaurant
332 Keawe StGood food, fun drinks and if you’re lucky, live music.
Shopping
This is a large shopping plaza with just about anything you’d need. Restaurants, grocery store, pharmacy, movie theatre, medical offices, post office, Saturday farmers market.
Keauhou Shopping Center
78-6831 Ali‘i DrThe Safeway is open 24/7 so it’s convenient to stop if your flight arrives late at night.
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Safeway
75-971 Henry StThe Safeway is open 24/7 so it’s convenient to stop if your flight arrives late at night.
Activities
If you are a pickleball addict, and don't want to miss playing while away, Holua Racquet and Paddle has options for you. You can become a member for a month or purchase a punch card for 7 or 10 visits. They if you're interested in tournaments or clinics, check our their website and sign up before arriving.
Holua Racquet and Paddle
If you are a pickleball addict, and don't want to miss playing while away, Holua Racquet and Paddle has options for you. You can become a member for a month or purchase a punch card for 7 or 10 visits. They if you're interested in tournaments or clinics, check our their website and sign up before arriving.
We are not "golfers" but do enjoy disc golf. This unique course was so fun, we visited twice in one week.
Great organic lava links farm- disc golf
11-3363 Apele RdWe are not "golfers" but do enjoy disc golf. This unique course was so fun, we visited twice in one week.
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Costumbres y cultura
In or near the water
There are laws protecting dolphins and turtles in Hawaii, the recommended distance for turtles is 10 feet, and dolphins is 50 yards in the wild.
Do not use sunscreen that is not reef friendly and approved for use in Hawaii.